KATHMANDU, July 21: Experts have stressed on 'five Ds' to achieve 'Nepal in 2030' vision.
Addressing a discussion organized by Nepal Economic Forum (NEF) in Kathmandu on Wednesday, former member of the (NPC) Swarnim Wagle contextualized 'Vision 2030', highlighting the five D's as the enablers to achieving Vision 2030. "The five Ds -- distance as an advantage, demographics, democracy, digitization and diaspora -- are the enablers to achieving the Vision 2030," he said, emphasizing on stability of institutions, including civil services, and personalization of economic relationships.
In a country where short-term has become the norm and the issue of economic visions relegated to rhetoric, forward looking approach with a longer term vision for Nepal in 2030, identifying potential transformation across sectors and subsequently working toward these envisioned outcomes is key, according to the experts.
On the occasion, Gail Marzetti, head of DFID Nepal, highlighted the need for investments, replacing donor interventions in the long run with multilaterals and other institutions helping toward building institutional reform and an enabling environment.
Likewise, Himesh Dhungel, country director - Nepal, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), stressed on the importance of electricity as an indicator, as electricity consumption pushes economic activities and growth. Currently Nepal languishes in the bottom of the table and the realization of electricity as a driver is paramount, he added.
Yanki Ukyab, a finance professional, who is also associated with the Investment Board of Nepal, on the occasion, reflected on her work in closing hydropower projects with the belief that enhanced capacity and focus can really make a difference to foreign investments.
During the discussion, the 25th anniversary issue of NEF's flagship publication - nefport, themed Nepal 2030 was also released. "The anniversary issue provides perspectives from international experts who have provided their view on South Asia in 2030 as well as domestic perspectives on the situation of the economy in 2030," according NEF Chairperson Sujeev Shakya.
The issue also includes various sectoral insights by key experts and luminaries in their respective fields.
Concluding the discussions, Shakya reflected on the need for Nepal to look outward in terms of resources available and also be mindful of the technological and other development taking place in different parts of the world.